GAME RUNNER:
Recap: OK, new rules – first team to pick up a first down wins. Both offenses are really struggling early on. The Panthers manage a 45-yard field goal by John Kasay after Saints corner Jason David is flagged for pass interference on Drew Carter, resulting in a 41-yard gain. Unfortunately for the Panthers, that’s their only first down of the first quarter. Carolina’s defense has played well early on.
Big play: Julius Peppers tips a Drew Brees pass at the line of scrimmage and then intercepts it. However, the Panthers are unable to cash in, failing to pick up a fourth-and-1 at the Saints 40.
Big mistake: Jeff King was flagged for an illegal formation nullifying a 41-yard completion from David Carr to Drew Carter. On the next play, Carr was sacked and the Panthers were forced to punt.
Comment: David Carr, starting for the injured Vinny Testaverde, goes to Steve Smith six times in the opening quarter, but completes only pass to him. The Saints are sending everyone after Carr -- and you can’t blame them.
Score: Carolina 3, New Orleans 0
2nd quarter
Recap: After stuffing the Panthers on a fourth-and-1 at the 40, the Saints drive 60 yards for the go-ahead touchdown. Brees finds second-year receiver Lance Moore in the corner of the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown pass. Moore beats corner Patrick Dendy on the play.
Big play: Panthers guard Mike Wahle is flagged for a false start on a second-and-goal at the Saints 4. Carr attempts two miserable passes and the Panthers settle for another Kasay field goal.
Big mistake: Carr, who may be the worst quarterback ever to suit up for the Panthers, badly overthrows Dwayne Jarrett and is intercepted near midfield. As the half comes to an end coach John Fox is bombarded with hollers of “We want Moore!” Can’t blame them. Carolina has just 84 total yards at the half.
Comment: The Panthers avoid giving up an easy three near the end of the half after Kasay boots the kickoff out of bounds. Olindo Mare tries a 59-yard field goal and hits it about like I would – a line drive about 20 yards down the field.
Score: New Orleans 10, Carolina 6.
3rd quarter
Recap: Once again, the Panthers come out of the locker room flat in the second half and give up not one, not two, but three touchdowns as the Saints take a 31-6 lead and blow this game open. Clearly the defense looks defeated – perhaps because the offense has no chance to score with Carr in the game. The Saints take the opening drive and easily march 73 yards on nine plays for a touchdown. Brees exploits the middle of the field on the drive before hitting Billy Miller with a 1-yard TD strike. Brees runs for another score and throws another to Marquis Colston.
Big mistake: Take your choice. DeShaun Foster fumbled twice in the third quarter, both leading to Saints touchdowns. Foster now has six fumbles on the season -- four resulting in turnovers.
Comment: With heavy rain falling, fans began piling out of the stadium after the Saints touchdown drive to open the half. By the end of the third quarter, almost everyone is gone except for about one thousand fans.
Score: New Orleans 31, Carolina 6
4th quarter
Recap: It’s all Saints. The Panthers will lose their seventh straight game at home, having been outscored 200-70 at home during that span.
Big play: The only cheer of the game from the home crowd in the fourth quarter when Matt Moore began warming up on the sidelines. But Moore’s first drive ends with an interception – Carolina’s fifth turnover of the game.
Big mistake: You made it, if you were one of the 53,493 fans who came to the stadium to watch this horrendous excuse for a football team.
Comment: I thought the Panthers had a chance to win today – up until I found up Vinny Testaverde would not play. Carr is that bad, and he seems to drag the team down with him.
Score: New Orleans 31, Carolina 6